Day to day most all of us find ourselves with the opportunity to lead – whether professionally, personally or within other avenues.  These opportunities may not be obvious at first or come with a fancy title but we partake in them more than we may think. 

Carly Fiorina’s insights about leadership in her memoir made me think.

“Leaders are defined by three things: character, capability and collaboration.  Leaders are candid and courageous; they know their strengths and use them; they bolster their weaknesses by relying on others with complementary skills and by constantly learning and adapting; they know when they need help and seek it; they know when help is required by others, and they provide it.  They have strong peer networks and are not afraid to share with others.  Leaders come in all shapes and sizes and colors from every walk of life and level in an organization.  They can emerge anytime and anywhere, but they are consistent and steady in their actions and approach.”

Although I do not often think of myself as a leader per se, I know that I would be proud to be defined in the context above.  This made me examine how I am doing in the character, capability and collaboration departments.

•  Am I acting with candor and courage?
•  Am I utilizing the strengths that I have been gifted with and accepting the help I need from others?
• How have I adapted and what have I learned this year?  What are my plans for those areas for next year?
• Am I helping others in my pursuits?
• How does my peer network look and do I appreciate that peer network?
• Can my actions be described as consistent and steady?

Hmmm lots to think about.

Two things that the author expresses right in the beginning strike me:

1. “It’s about tapping into your potential for becoming the best person you can be and enjoying life to the fullest”; and
2. “I discovered long ago that regardless of age, people are eager to learn when it means understanding life more deeply and living it more fully.”

As a couple with a little bit of a challenge creating Abbie and then a rough-n- tumble pregnancy, I have to admit that I am one of those parents who is focused on being the best me that I can be for her.

 The top of my “Aha” list from the much appreciated advice that I have received is the importance of teaching Abbie that every day is to be one of joy and appreciation.  For someone who has a tendency to see the day as an endless “to-do” list to check off and finds joy in achieving, I have had to make a slight adjustment.  As I tap into my full potential, I have learned that it is my decision to express the joy of every day and to live that day to the fullest.  A very good friend reminds me that it will not matter five years from now if I have made the bed but Abbie will remember that I took the time to play a quick game of peek-a-boo with her.

Besides it being a lesson for Abbie, this advice makes me a better business owner.  The entrepreneurial spirit is not always an easy journey.  If Alchemy can take over the administrative worries that are bogging down a business owner then that is one step closer to them reaching their fullest potential.  Also I would like to think that if we have joy daily then maybe that will rub off on others around us when their day is just not seeming as enjoyable.

This love continues to flourish as an adult.  Through reading I have been inspired by the lives of others, learned about aspects that make us who we are, experienced faraway lands, laughed and even embarrassingly cried on an airplane as I finished a heart wrenching book.  My husband would like for me to stand corrected here that I actually read an entire book on the plane, sobbed at the ending and a number of fellow passengers around me were a little concerned for my well being.  Oops.

I have learned that two things happen when I share what I read:

1)    I retain the information allowing me to apply it and

2)    conversing about it feeds my intellectual soul.

So the “Now Reading…” section of the Alchemy Virtual Business Solutions blog is the self-indulgent side of me sharing.  Please feel free to share what you’re reading and/or dive into the conversation if I post a topic from reading that gets you going.  Thanks so much!